Despite injuries, Spartans remain unbeaten

North Schuylkill lineman Jonathan "Bubba" Green slips and slides on the coal banks of Girardville while he pursues grouse and deer.

He feels that his outdoor hunting adventures make him "a lot more hard-nosed" on the football field.

Green has needed every ounce of toughness in his massive 6-2, 290-pound frame to persevere in a season that has dealt the Spartans with several key injuries.

Since preseason began, North Schuylkill has had a M*A*S*H unit on its sideline. Each week, the Spartans seem to lose a key starter, including stalwarts such as running back/linebacker Mike Shinkus.

Somehow, North Schuylkill remains unbeaten, has already clinched its third straight Anthracite Football League title and holds the second slot in the District 11 Class AA rankings, despite having as many as six starters injured on both sides of the football.

"There has been a whole lot of pressure on everyone emotionally and physically because of all the injuries," Green said. "We've had players that never saw varsity time before get thrown into the mix."

The Spartans' biggest win to date came two weeks ago when they denied Mount Carmel (8-1) their 800th win in program history at the Silver Bowl. North Schuylkill lost Shinkus in the opening minute to a knee injury.

A late fourth-quarter TD reception by tight end Ian Murray, who was filling in for an injured Tom Gallagher, sealed the deal for the Spartans.

Murray is just one of many Spartans whose roles have increased dramatically over the past few weeks.

"We've had to move people around all season, but you gotta do what you gotta do," said North Schuylkill head coach Rick Geist.

"We've had to use as many as seven linebackers." he said. "Most injuries we have ever had. Guys like Murray have really stepped up for us."

As the injuries have put a dent into the experience on the field for North Schuylkill, Green has returned the favor by putting a bruising on opponents.

Green, who has battled bruises of his own, has been a run-stopper at defensive tackle and versatile key to what was a makeshift offensive line earlier this year.

Inexperienced players, no matter what their position, have leaned on Green for everything.

"He's very valuable because he can play anywhere on the offensive line," said Geist, comparing Green to former North Schuylkill trench standout Rick Bolinsky, who continued his football career at Penn State.

A similar track could be in store for Green, who has been in contact with William & Mary, Villanova, East Carolina, Virginia Tech, Delaware, Towson, Rutgers, Lehigh and Princeton.

Green has come a long way since he broke into the Spartans lineup as a freshman. He has since shaved more than a full second from his 40-yard dash time and gained more power thanks to an offseason commitment to a strength and agility trainer over the past few years.

According to Geist, what has kept bigger schools from recruiting Green is that he falls under the height scouts are looking for from college linemen.

Green's message to Division I recruiters is simple.

"Watch me play, put me against the 6-4 guy," Green said. "They want to see a 6-4 guy, but you see a few linemen in the NFL at 6-foot. It all comes down to if you could play."